Managing Principal Solicitor

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Justice and Community Safety

**Salary**: $149,025 - $170,579

Occupation: Legal

Reference: VG/VGSO507
- Senior role with strong client focus and strategic management capability
- Diverse and high profile work on matters of public interest
- Opportunity to lead, mentor and manage a motivated team of lawyers
- Ongoing | Full-time
- VPS 6.2 - $149,025 - $170,579 p.a. + superannuation (depending on experience)

**About the VGSO**

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) vision is to be the Victorian Government's trusted legal partner.

The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.

**About the branch**

The Inquiries, Prosecutions and Administration Branch comprises a number of legal teams that provide specialist legal services and advice to the State in relation to; regulation, administrative law and disciplinary reviews, Inquiries and Royal Commissions.

The Administrative and Regulatory Law teams provide litigation services and legal advice in the following areas:

- Merits review of administrative decisions and related court proceedings
- Investigations and criminal procedure and prosecutions
- Integrity body inquiries
- Business and occupational licensing
- Conduct reviews, professional disciplinary proceedings and summary/indictable prosecutions
- Freedom of information (FOI), information sharing and privacy

The Inquiries teams provide specialist legal services and legal advice in relation to Inquiries and Royal Commissions including:

- Establishment of Royal Commissions (exclusive services)
- Management of notices to produce including document review
- Witness and hearing preparation
- Briefing and instructing counsel
- State submissions and strategic responses
- Project management and reporting

**About the role**

Due to the branch expanding, we are currently looking for senior and experienced lawyer to join the Inquiries, Prosecutions and Administration Branch in Managing Principal Solicitor role to provide professional leadership and management of a team of solicitors to produce high level legal services and advice, particularly in relation to investigations and criminal procedure and prosecutions, while building and maintaining strong client relationships. The role embraces advisory work for a number of Victorian Government and regulators, including in relation to their functions and powers. There is also a focus on undertaking investigations for regulators and appearing in related proceedings, whether internal to the regulator or in Victorian Courts and Tribunals.

Reporting to the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, the ideal applicant will be excited to lead people and understand the importance of having the right people, management and processes in place to facilitate the provision of high quality legal services to government clients. Applicants must be willing to share their knowledge and experience across the Branch, contribute to initiatives which will continue to build a positive and cohesive working environment and brief and communicate effectively with senior VGSO executives and public servants.

You will be an experienced professional leader with the capacity to contribute strategically and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience, with the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the branch and its practice areas.

You are regarded as an expert; a senior and experienced legal practitioner able to demonstrate sound judgement on complex legal matters with a strong understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector.

**Benefits**

In exchange for your hard work you will receive competitive remuneration, training and development opportunities and up to 17.5% annual leave loading. The VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance.

**How to apply**

Applications must include a brief **cover letter** and **resume** that outlines your experience relevant to this role.
Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant experience in their cover letter.

To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, on 0498 649 226.

**Applications close at 1